Arch support



July 12, 1932. C H FRE'MAN 1,366,557'

ARCH SUPPORT Filed Aug. 7. 1930 Patented JulyY 12, 1932 l CHARLES n. FREEMAN,

PAT

orpnnrnoi'r, Vivrrciireiiiv Arten srronr Applieatiqn mea, August 7, 1930. 'serial No. 473,54af.'`

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an arch support so arranged and constructed as to perform the functions of the usual arch support and also LS to provide a cushion whereby standing, wa lk ing, and the like is made lmore comfortable and the feet eased of the strain to which'they are ordinarily subjected. j

It is an object of the present inventionalso to provide an arch support sufficiently yleldable as to permit its shaping itself to the contour of the foot so as to place under the foot at those points where most needed sufficient support torelieve the user of pain and disl comfort.

Another object of the invention is thepro-Y vision of an arch support formed from sponge rubber or the like and provided with a covering for resisting wear. i 29 Another object of the invention is the provision of an arch support of this class provided with air pockets to assist the circulation ofair around, under and into the arch support when it is worn so as to prevent the perspiring of the feet.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an arch support having an enlarged portion engageable with the arch of the foot and a raised portion positioned forwardly thereof for engaging the under surface .of the foot.

Another object of the inventio-n is the` forms a part of thisspecification, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a. bottom pla-n view of tion. i

Fig. 2 is a -side elevational vention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view` taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

the invenview of the in-k Fig. 4L isa sectional view taken on line .-of Fig. 1. g. Y

Fig. 5 is'a sectional view takenon line 5,-#5

4The invention comprises a main body l9' which is formed from sponge rubber or.l other sulhciently yieldablev material which will resume its 'normal shape a'fter'being relieved of'pressure which has a tendencyto' forceKH it out of its normal shape.` A covering'8 is mounted on the upper surface of the body 9. This covering 8 is formed fromY leather or OFFICE other suitable flexible material which, while permitting the archjsupport to assume `under l pressure the shape -desired', will alsoserve to resist' wear.` Formed on the'body 9 intermedia-te its ends and adjacent one side, is an enlargement 10 which serves to provide-the necessary body for forcing Vthe arch support into engagement with the under surface of the foot at the arch and affordv theisuppo-rt necessary forthe foot at the archportion. Extending transverselyv of the arch support Aand f formed Vinl the enlargement v10 at opposite 'sides ofthe transverse` medial linethereof are passages 11.

An enlargement orv outwardly extending .l

'projection 12 is yformed on the under surface of the body 9 adjacent the forward end thereof and positioned substantially centrally be! tween the side edges of the arch support. The

formation of the enlargement 12 forwardly of the enlargement' 10 provides the valley 13. The enlargement 12 is providedito'exertaddition al pressure and presents additional sup-` port centrally of the ball ofthe foot so as to relieve thepoint. i i Y l i In use,V thearchsupport is positioned inthe shoe vwith thebody 9 faced downwardly so` that the foot will engage the leather covering 8.V Since the entire body vis quite flexible, the arch support will conform itselfto the shape of the foot, placingV the necessary'additional pressure on the foot at those pointsv which weak arches require. In walking, the

wearer Vof painresulting atthis` sponge rubber or body 9 will, when the weight of the Abody isV placed on the foot, be com-` pressed or slightly flattenedY and caused to flow into snug engagementwith the foot thus l' assuring a uniform pressure over the base of the foot. When the foot is lifted and the weight of the body removed therefrom, the body 9 will resume its normal shape, and this compressing and releasing of the body 9 from pressure will cause a suction to be set up around the foot and around the arch support.

This air movement is also assistedby the pockets or passages 11 so that an excessive heating of the foot resulting from the use of the arch support is prevented.V 5

The enlargement 10 inclines from its transverse medial line to the rear and the forward ends of the main body and also inclines fromr one edge of the main body toward the other.

The projection or enlargement 12 is formed so that an incline in all directions is effected, this enlargement or projection 12 therefore being more nearly semi-spherical than any other regular geometrical formation. The presence of the valley 13 also assists in the air movement when the weight is placed upon the arch support and then released therefrom.

An arch support constructed 'in -this manj ner has proven most comfortable to those afflicted with weak arches and affords the wearer a maxium ease and comfort because of the cushioning effect; Also because of the movement or flowingV of the arsch support into Y various shapes to'conform tothe contour o-f the foot, the arch support eventually will result in a strengthening of themuscles of the A i foot and afford the wearer permanent relief from weak arches.

While I have illustrated 'and described the preferred form of construction of my invention, I do not wish to limit myselftosthe precise details of structure shown but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as maycome within the scope of the appended claim.

I-Iaving thusdescribed my invention, what Y j I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In an arch support of the class described, a main cushioning body; an enlargement projecting outwardly from the undery surface of said main body and tapering in thickness `toward the center of said main body, there being projected inwardly of said main body from one of the side faces thereof between the upper and lower surfaces thereof andat opposite sides of the transverse medial line of said enlargement a plurality of spaced passages. j

In testimony whereof I`have signed the foregoing specification. 'f

f CHARLES H. FREEMAN. 

